Fly closure



Nov. 22, 1949 w.R.sPEARR1N FLY cLsURE Filed Nov. 19, 194e INVENroR Wilhelm R, Spearr Patented Nov. 22, 1949 FLY CLOSURE William R. Spearrin, Naugatuck, Conn., assigner to Scovill Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Continuation of application Serial No. 710,931, November 19, 1946. This application August 26, 1948, Serial N0. 46,330

11 Claims.

This invention relates to garments and particularly to the sew-on type of fly front constructions for such garments, and one wherein separable snap fastener elements are employed and set along the full length of a fly front construction such as employed in various types of garments and is a continuation of my co-pending application, Serial No. 710,931, filed November 19, 1946, now abandoned.

A further object of this invention is to design a fiy front construction to accommodate a series of separable snap fastener elements and particularly to a redesign of a fly front construction so as to make it more convenient for the wearer in the manipulation of the snap fastener elements for closing up a fly front. This is accomplished by arranging a second fly strip, to which a series of one of the elements of a snap fastener member are secured, over the conventional under ily portion and bar tacking the second fly strip to the under fly portion at spaced intervals equally between the fastener elements, thus providing individual pockets as a part of the under iiy portion opening away from the edge of that part of the garment, and within which the thumb of the wearers hand may be inserted in the act of snapping the elements together.

The invention will be betterunderstood from the detailed description which follows when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing showing certain preferred embodiments of my invention, and wherein- I Fig. 1 is a front view of a Vfly construction such as might be employed on trouser garments and showing the fly construction as it appears in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but showing the ny front construction in partially open position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, but showing the fastener elements in a position about ready to be snapped together, and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to the upper-left ily portion of Fig. 4 showing a modified form of construction.

Referring now in detail to the drawing,A the numeral I0 designates the right front portion of a trouser garment construction adjacent the fly opening, and the numeral I'I designates the left front portion of a garment construction adjacent the fly opening. The front portions I0 and I I are brought together below the fly proper by an infolded joining seam I2. As in the usual construction of this type of garment an underright lfly strip I3 is secured to the right front portion It by stitching lll and providing an infolded fly connecting seam I2a substantially vin alignment with the front portions joining seam I2.

In using the terms right and left to designate certain parts of the garment, I choose to use these terms in the specification as they are conventionally used in connection with the actual garment and not as to the position that the parts happen to appear in the patent drawing. It should, therefore, be understood that, when refer to the under-right fly part of the garment, it will appear at the left of the drawing and the upper-left y part will appear at the right of the drawing. Y y

Attached to the outer end of the under-right fly strip I3 is a second fly strip I5, and at the same time there is secured an under facing or lining strip It which is usuallyof a lighter colored material and of lighter weight than the garment material.v The parts I3, I5 and I6 are held together by a single line of stitching I-l, after lwhich stitching the parts are folded back upon themselves in a manner as best shown at I8 in Fig. 4. The main body of the second fly strip I5 lies in front of the fly strip I3 and is folded back upon itself as at I9 to provide a double thickness fly and held together by a line of stitching 20. The end I9a ofthe folded portion I9 is preferably left short from thel attaching portion of the strip l5 so that there will be a minimum of thickness at the folded portion I8. Set at equally spaced positions along this second ily strip I5 and particularly in the mid part of the folded-over portion I9 are a series of one of the elements of detachable snap fastener elements, and in this case showing particularly stud.`

elements 2I, it being understood that the elements 2l are set upon the second fly strip prior to the stitching operation I1.

After the lining strip I6 has been stitched to' the outer end of the fly strip I3, as described above, it is folded back upon itself as shown in Fig. 4, and the opposite end likewise is folded back upon itself as at 22. This folded portion 22 in turn is stitched to the inturned seam I2a as by a line of stitching 23 passing substantially through the seam I2a and line of stitching Ill. Equally spaced betweenv the point of attachment of the series of stud elements 2l is a double bar tacking 24 that secures thesecond ily strip i5 directly to the fly strip I 3 and thus provides a series of pockets 25, the purpose of which will appear later.

To the outer end of the left front portion I I is secured a two-ply under ily strip 21 as by a line of 4stitching 28. After the stitching operation of 28 this two-ply fly strip 21 is then folded back upon itself` along one edge as at 29 to underlie that portion or the left front portion as desige nated at 26 in the manner as shown in Fig. Il. After the folding operation the innermost end of the two-ply strip 21 is stitched to the left front portion as by a line of stitching 30. Prior to the stitching operations 28 and 3l) a series of fastener elements, which in this case are shown to be specifically socket elements 3l complemental to the studs 2|, are secured to the double ply strip 21 and are properly spaced to be in registering alignment with the stud members 2 l.

To finish off the upper part of the garment construction the usual form of waist band may be secured thereeto.` As best shown in Fig. 3 the waistband attested t the right front pfiffige I, cf thegarment is of double material thickness 32,. its. @ser end leidde@ es at 3?. and. stitched @setserbr elise 0f ,Stitching 3.4 in the usual manner. The lower ends of the two-ply materiel @f this right Waist hand 3.2. are spread apart and cassiera. @dse infomed itself as. 35. and compressed against the opposite sides ci the garment eert. l0. and atthe underrieht y emblales the ily strip i3. the lining I6, the. double folded portion I9l of 15 and all folded parts Si'fthed lgether as by a line of stitching 3.6. Adjacent the end of this, right Waist band 32 is Secured a stud element 31 through both thick-` messes of the Waist band material and in vertical alignment with the stud elements 2l, the element 31 being identical with elements 2 l.

The left waist band construction 38 is made and attached in a similar manner to the right waist band 32 having at its upper edge the infolded seam 39- and stitched at 40. The lowerendsfof the two-ply material ofthe left band 38 are likewise spread Vand infolded as at 4l and stitched as 'at 42 to the left portion ofthe garment lvlA and at the flyportion including the upper-left garment portion 26 and the two-ply under` ily strip 211. After the left waist band 38- is secured in place, a socket element 43 complemental to the stud` element 31v is secured adjacent theV end thereofin vertical alignment with the socket elements'lll previously referred to.

It isl to be notedthat all the studs 2|', by the manner in which they are attached to the reinforcing str-ip t5, are concealed and covered relative to the underside of the right garment part I- as bythe lining strip I6, and it is only the attaching element of the stud 31 securedto the right waist band that shows to the underside` face of the garment. Similarly all of the socketl elements carried by the upper-left fly` are concealed from the front portion of the garment except for. the. upper fastener element 43 secured tothe end of the left waist band, andA this Vwill be normally covered by the belt worn with the trousers.

In the closing upA of the fly front by reason of the pockets. 25` that are provided in the underright fly. portion, it will be a relatively simple matter for the wearer. to slip ones thumb into theY several pockets so asY to support the underside of the stud members 2l, while. compressing the. frontl of: the upper-left fly portion by the index finger for snapping the series of separable snap fastener elements together in a manner as. clearly shown in Fig. 4. By this construction. it` elimi- 4 nates the necessity of having to force ones thumb underneath the under-right ily portion as would be required if the fastener elements were attached directly to the fly strip I3.

The fly construction having the snap fastener elements attached, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, is designed with a view for use in connection with heavier types of Work trouser garments such as dungarees and the like. With a view of employing snap fasteners on lighter garments, such as slacks, there is shown a modlfication of Fig. 5 wherein the thickness of the upper-left fly may be measurably decreased at the seams for a lighter constructed garment. In l3111s case the ily strip 21a is only a single thickness, but has a reinforcing strip 45 stitched longitudinally of its mid portion as by spaced stitching 46 in a manner as shown in Fig. 5. Attached to this reinforced portion of the strip 21a is a series of socket element-s 41. Afterthe assembly of the reinforcing strip 45 and socket element v41 to the ily strip 21a., the latter is then secured to the underside ofthe left garment portion lla by first stitching one end of said strip 21a to the outer end ofl the upper-left garment portion 26a as by a line of stitching 48 and infolded as at 49. The opposite end of the strip 21a is finally stitched to the garment proper lla as by a line of stitching 58.

While the invention is shown and described in connection with a sew-on fly construction for mens trousers it should be understood that the invention is applicable to other types of garments,

' as for instance, it could equally as well be applied to various types of ladies garments having sew-on fly constructions, the only difference being that in ladies garments the under fly portion having the pockets for the reception of the thumb would be at the left of the garment instead of at the right.

I claim:

1. In a fly construction for a garment comprising an under-right fly portion, a fly strip overlying the under-right fly portion and secured its full length to said under-right fly portion garment edge, a series of spaced elements of a detachable fastener element secured to said fly strip, said fly strip being bar tacked to the under-right fly portion at positions substantially equal between the elements to provide for a series of pockets having their openings away from the garment edge and within which the wearer can insert ones thumb and support the underside of the elements, the opposite or upper-left fly part constructed with an underlying fly strip. stitched to the under-side off the upper-left fly part,` and elements complemental to the first elements attached to said underlying fly stripv and being concealed from the f front of the garment.

2. In a fly construction for a garment comprising right and leftY garment portions stitched together at an infolded seam below the fly construction., an under-right fly strip stitched tc the edge of the right garment portion, a second fly strip underside of the stud-elements, the opposite orl upper-left garment portion also having a fly strip stitched to the underside of said left garment portion, and a series of socket elements complemental to the stud elements secured to said latter ily strip,

3. In a ily construction for a garment, an under-right fly strip stitched to the fly opening of the right portion of the garment, a second ily strip secured its full length to the outer end of the under-right ily strip and folded about the unattached edge of said ily strip to overlie said latter fly strip, a series of equallyspaced fastener elements secured to said second fly strip, said second fly strip being bar tacked to said under-right ily strip equally between the fastener elements carried thereby to provide for a series of pockets having their openings away from the garment edge to permit the thumb of the wearers hand to slip in back of the fastener elements from the front of the right garment portion, an upper-left section formed as a part of the left portion of the garment and adapted to normally overlie the under-right ily strip, and a series of equally spaced fastener elements secured thereto which latter elements are detachable with the elements secured to the second strip of said under-right fly.

4. In a fly construction for a garment, an under-right ily strip stitched to the ily opening of the right portion of the garment, a second ily strip secured its full length to the outer end of the under-right ily strip and positioned to overlie said under-right fly strip, a series of equally spaced fastener elements secured to said second fly strip, said second strip being bar tacked to said underright ily strip at substantially spaced positions between the fastener elements carried by said second ily strip to provide for a series of pockets having their openings away from the garment edge to permit the thumb of the wearers hand to slip in back 4of the fastener elements from the front of the right garment portion, an upper-left ily section formed as an integral part of the left portion and adapted to overlie the under-right fly strip, another ily strip underlying said upper-left fly portion and stitched along opposite longitudinal edges thereof, and a series of fastener elements complementa] to the ilrst mentioned elements secured to said latter reinforcing strip prior to the stitching operations and being concealed from the front part of the garment.

5. In a ily construction for a garment, an under-right fly strip stitched to the ily opening of the right portion of the garment, a second fly strip secured its full length to the outer end of the under-right ny strip and positioned to overlie said under-right ily strip, a series of equally spaced fastener elements secured to said second ily strip, said second ily strip being bar tacked to said under-right fly strip equally between the fastener elements carried thereby to provide for a series of pockets having their openings away from the garment edge to permit the thumb of the wearers hand to slip in back of the fastener elements from the front of the right garment portion of the garment, an upper-left ily section formed as an integral part of the left portion of the garment and adapted to overlie the under-right ily strip, another ily strip underlying said upper-left ily section and stitched thereto along opposite longitudinal edges thereof, a series of fastener elements complemental to the first mentioned elements secured to said latter fly strip prior to the stitching operations and being concealed from the front part of the garment, and a waist band secured to the upper edge of the right and left garment portions and the fly strip ends, the ends of the waist band having fastener elements'attached thereto which are like to those secured to their associated ily strips. L

6. In a ily construction for a garmentan under-right fly strip stitched to the fly opening of the right portion of a garment, a second fly strip stitched its full length to the outer end of said under-right ily strip and folded around the edge thereof to overlie said under-right ily strip, said second ily strip having a portion folded upon itself inwardly to a considerable extent to provide for a double ply reinforcing portion with the end of the folded portion stitched to an intermediate part of the second fly strip and removed from the latters attached line of stitching, a series of stud elements attached to said double ply portion of said second ily strip, a series of bar tacks securing the double ply portion of said second fly strip to said under-right fly at substantially equal positions between said elements and kproviding for a series of pockets one in back of each stud element said pockets having their openings away from the garment edge for convenience in manipulating said elements from the front of the garment, an upper-left fly section provided as part of the left portion of the garment and adapted to overlie the under-right fly strip, and a series of socket elements secured to said upper-left ily section and being complemental to said stud elements for detachable engagement therewith` 7. In a fly construction for a garment, an nnder-right ily strip stitched to therfly opening of the right portion of a garment, a second'fly strip stitched its full length to the outer end of said under-right ily strip and folded around the edge thereof to overlie said under-right ily strip, said second ily strip having a portion folded upon itself inwardly to a considerable extent to provide a double ply reinforcing portion with the end of the folded part stitched to the mid-portion of the second fly strip and removed from the attached line of stitching, a series of stud elements attached to the double ply folded portion of said second fly strip, a series of bar tacks securing the double ply folded portion of said second 'fly strip to the under-right ily strip at substantially equal positions between said stud elements and providing for a series of pockets one in back of each stud element, said pockets having their openings away from the garment edge for convenience in manipulating said elements from the front of the garment, an upper-left fly section provided as part of the left portion of the garment, a double ply reinforcing ily strip stitched to the underside of said upper-left fly portion, said double ply fly strip having a series of spaced socket elements attached thereto which elements are complemental to said stud elements for detachable engagement therewith, said socket elements being concealed from the front part of the garment.

8. In a ily construction for a garment, an under-right fly strip stitched to the fly opening of the right portion of a garment, a second fly strip stitched to the outer end of said under-right ily strip and folded around the edge thereof to overliesaid under-right ily strip, said second fly strip having a portion folded upon itself inwardly to a considerable extent to provide for a double ply reinforcing portion with the end of the folded part stitched to the mid-portion of the second ily strip and removed from the attached line of stitching, a series of stud elements attached to the double ply folded portion of said second ily strip, a series of bar tacks securing the double ply folded portion of said second fly strip to the under-right ily strip at substantially equal positions between said stud elements and providing for a series of pockets one in back of each stud element, said pockets having their openings away from the garment edge for convenience in manipulating said elements from the front of the garment, and an upper-left ily section provided as part of the left portion of the garment, a double ply reinforcing fly strip stitched to the underside of said upper-left ilyportion, said double ply fly strip having a series of spaced socket elements attached thereto which elements are complemental to said stud elements forA detachable engagement therewith, said socket ele? ments being concealed from the. front part of the garment, and a waist band secured to the upper edges of the right and left portions of the. garment and including the upper.` ends of the flystrip, the ends of the Waist band having complemental study and socket elements secured thereto and both elements being so secured as to be exposed to opposite sides of the waistband.

9. In a ily construction for a garment comprising an under-right ily portion, a fly strip overlying and stitched its full length to the. outer face of the under-right ily portion, a series of spaced elements of a detachable fastener element secured to said y strip., said y strip being bar tacked to the under-right y portion at positions substantially equal between the. elements to provide for a series of pockets having their openings away from the garment edge and within which the wearer can insert ones thumb and support the underside of the elements in the attaching operation, a lining strip secured to the rear face of said under-right flyy portion, the opposite or upper-left ny part constructed with an underlying y strip stitched to the underside. of the upper-left ily part, and elements complemental to the firstl elements attached to said underlying fly strip and being concealed from the front of the garment.

10. In a ily construction for a garment comprising upper and under overlapping y portions, a ily strip secured to the outerh edge ofthe under fly portion and positioned to overlie said under fly portion, a series of equally spaced fastener elements secured to said ily strip, said fly strip being bar tacked to said under fly portion equally between the fastener elements carried thereby to provide for a series of pockets having their openings away romthe garment edge to permit the thumb of the wearers hand to slip in back of the fastener element from the front of the under fly portion, and a series of equally spaced fastener elements secured to the upper overlapping fly portion which latter elements are detachable with the elements secured to the fly strip of said under fly portion.

11. In a dy construction for a garment comprising upper and under overlapping fly portions, a ily strip secured to the outer edge of the under fly portion and positioned to overlie said under ily portion, a series of equally spaced fastener elements secured to said fly strip, said fly strip being bar tacked to said under fly portion equally between the fastener elements carried thereby to provide for a series of' pockets having their openings away from the garment edge to permit the thumb of the wearers hand to slip in back of the fastener element from the front of the under fly portion, another fly strip underlying said upper fly portion and stitched along opposite longitudinal edges thereof, and a series of fastener elements complemental to the first mentioned elements secured to said other ily strip prior to the stitching operation for the purpose of concealing said latter elements from the front part of the garment.

WILLIAM R. SPEARRIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,661,725 Jenkins Mar. 6, 1923 2,236,218 Marks Mar. 25, 1941 2,434,233 Spearrin Jan. 6, 1948 

